Historic North: Addis Ababa, Axum, Lalibela & More

Up on arrival meet with Goway Travel's local representative and get transferred to Sapphire Hotel.

Addis Ababa (New Flower), and Ethiopia's capital city! The city lies in the central highlands at a Welcome to Addis Ababa "New Flower", Ethiopia's capital city which is located at 2,700m above sea level. It is a pleasant city with wide avenues, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, "Merkato". It was founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1887, who selected the site because its location within the Entoto hills has long been the center of Shoan politics.
It is Africa's diplomatic capital with headquarters for the Organization of African Union and the United Nation Economic Commissions for Africa. The capital is rich in impressive statues and monuments of different architecture, several of which are just in the middle of the turnarounds.
After taking a rest start explore Addis Ababa, drive to Entoto Hills - best introduction place to Addis Ababa. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis Ababa reaching 3,200 meters above sea level, giving the opportunity to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit. It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887. It is a historical place which offers a unique glimpse into the history of Ethiopia's distinct culture. The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact museum as well as Menelik II palace.
In addition to its historical significance as one drive up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.
On the way up the roadside stalls offers fresh Ethiopian coffee. Also, if you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes, with time availability possible to stop by at Shero Meda Market. There is a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery with lots of choice and really good for gift ideas.
After lunch visit the Ethnographic and National museum. The Ethnographic Museum, with its two main sections covering local crafts and on regions and people, is an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia's rich ethnic diversity. The museum has an impressive array of religious crosses, triptychs and murals, as well as Haile Selassie's bedroom and bathroom.
National Museum, which ranks among the most important museums in sub- Sahara Africa. It is famous guest Lucy, One could find exhibits ranging from the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy.

After early breakfast you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar, where you'll meet with Goway Travel's local representative and get transferred to Avanti Blue Nile Hotel. Bahir Dar means "by the side of the sea" in the Amharic language.
After taking a rest, you'll drive to the Blue Nile Falls - known locally as Tissiat - which means "The Smoking Water." The Falls are 328 feet wide and the water plunges some 150 feet, giving rise to picturesque stream clouds and rainbows.
After lunch you'll embark by boat to Lake Tana to visit two of the renowned Island Monasteries of the Lake, namely: Ura Kidane Mihret and Azua Mariam. Both have wonderful wall paintings which depict scenes from the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible.

Today you'll drive to Simien Mountains National Park which will take approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival check in to Simien Lodge.
The Simien Mountains are an area of highlands in the northern part of Ethiopia consisting of some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. It was added to the World Heritage Site list in 1978. With a total area of 190km/sq., the Simien Mountains boast 57 tree species, a wealth of herbaceous plants, 22 large and 13 small mammals and about 180 recorded bird species. Of these, the Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf, Menelik's Bushbuck and the Gelada baboon are endemic.
After lunch you'll drive to Sankaber. Here you can observe the beautiful landscape and animals like the Gelada Baboon (or the 'bleeding-heart' Baboon) and the lion monkey.

In the morning you'll drive to Gondar, which is 135km distant and will take around 2hrs. On arrival, you'll check in to Mayeleko Lodge before embarking on your exploration of Gondar, the imperial city of Fasilides. The city was the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632, with the reign of Fasilides; and the kings of Ethiopia based their power there for over two centuries.
In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. Many picturesque ruins lie in the royal enclosure, like fairy-tale castles dating back to the 17th century. The castles reflect the glory of Gondarine kings and are characterized by their distinctive architectural style. The other place of interest is the Fasilides pool, in which pilgrims still take a plunge during the Timket (Epiphany) celebrations.
You'll then proceed to Debre Birhan Trinity Church, rewarding for its magnificent murals adorning the roof and the walls.

After breakfast you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum. Upon arrival you'll meet our representative and be taken to Sabean Hotel, where you can refresh before starting to explore Axum.
Axum is renowned for its cathedral of St. Mary Zion, where legend has it, the original Ark of Covenant is housed. There are several standing monolithic stelae which are made of single pieces of granite, on which three have identical decoration. The site of the Queen of Sheba's Palace contains the remains of what was once a massive palace with finely mortared stonewalls, deep foundations and its own impressive drainage system. It is believed to be the oldest building in Axum.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela where you'll meet with our representative on arrival, and get transferred to Mountain View Hotel.
Lalibela is rightly acknowledged as being one of the Wonders of the World. At the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries King Lalibella of the Zaghwe dynasty built a series of rock hewn churches in this spot, calling it New Jerusalem. Crafted from the rock in which they stand, these towering edifices seems to be superhuman creation in scale, workman ship and concept. 11 churches in the town are named after the King.
After checking in to your hotel, you'll begin your tour of the first group of six churches in town. This group of churches lie in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem.

In the morning you'll visit the second group of the rock churches. The south-east cluster of churches is more irregular in design than the north-western cluster. Several of the individual churches in this cluster are thought to have been secular in origin, and some predate the reign of King Lalibela by five centuries. The churches in the south-east cluster include Bet Gebriel-Rafael, Bet Abba Libanos, Bet Lehem, Bet Emanuel, and Bet Mercurios. According to legend, Bet Abba Libanos was built overnight by Lalibela's wife, Meskel Kebre, who was assisted by a group of angels.

Finally you'll visit Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant and majestic of all the Lalibela churches, which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. It can only be reached through a tunnel.

After lunch, you'll visit the monastery of Nakuto Laab, located six kilometers outside Lalibela and accessible by car. It is a simple, yet fascinating example of Lalibela's eastern group of rock hewn churches.

In the late afternoon, you'll visit the open market of Lalibela, after which you will experience Ethiopian hospitality, at a traditional coffee ceremony.

Today after breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. You'll have day use room at Sapphire Hotel. Your last night in Ethiopia will be a memorable farewell dinner at one of Addis Ababa's wonderful cultural or international restaurants before transferring back to the airport in time for your onward flight.